Description
Hearty venison sausage casserole brings rustic German mountain flavors straight to your kitchen. Robust herbs, tender meat, and savory vegetables combine in a comforting one-pot meal perfect for chilly evenings when home feels warmest.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 large venison sausages
- 400 grams (14 ounces) chopped tomatoes
- 150 milliliters (5 fluid ounces) red wine
- 4 small carrots
- 3 sticks celery
- 12 bulb fennel
Protein and Fat Components:
- 70 grams (2.5 ounces) pancetta or streaky bacon, cubed
- 2 small onions, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
Herbs and Seasonings:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large sprig rosemary, picked
- 2 fresh bay leaves
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 170C (fan 150C) / 325F, preparing for a hearty casserole.
- Finely dice onions and mince garlic, creating a fragrant flavor base.
- Drizzle oil into a heavy casserole dish, sauté onions until they turn translucent and soft.
- Prepare vegetables by slicing half the carrots and celery, then dicing the remaining vegetables with fennel for textural variety.
- Introduce minced garlic, sliced celery, and carrots to the softened onions, allowing them to develop rich flavors.
- In a separate pan, crisp pancetta until golden, then remove and brown venison sausages in the same pan to capture delicious fond.
- Combine pancetta, sausages, chunky vegetables, tomatoes, aromatic rosemary, bay leaves, and wine into the casserole, creating a complex flavor profile.
- Season generously with salt and pepper, then gently coax the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Seal the casserole with a lid and transfer to the preheated oven, allowing ingredients to meld for 30 minutes.
- Uncover during the final 10 minutes to enhance caramelization and concentration of flavors.
- Plate the steaming casserole and garnish with fresh parsley for a vibrant finish.
Notes
- Choose lean, high-quality venison sausage for the best flavor and texture.
- Add a splash of balsamic vinegar for depth and complexity to the casserole’s taste profile.
- Consider using gluten-free sausages and check wine ingredients for those with dietary restrictions.
- Swap half the sausages with plant-based alternatives for a vegetarian-friendly version by using robust vegetable sausages that hold their shape during cooking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 225 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg